LOCAL5 AND GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15625, 3 June 1914, Page 6

LOCAL 5 AND GENERAL NEWS.

Recently » deputation from the Takapuna Borough Council waited on the Harbour Board in cot" .lttee in reference to the control of the fogeahore at Takapuna. The Mayor of Takapuna, (Mr. W. Blomfield) represented that the whole of the beach renting Rangitoto Channel should be vested in the Borough Council, and also the control to 100 yds below low water, to enable the council to deal with bathers and launches. The board was asked to include a clause in its Empowering Bill granting 1 the control of the foreshoro to Takapuna. At tho meeting of the board yesterday it was resolved, "That the Takapuna Borough Council be informed that as a large portion of the area is beyond harbour limits the board regrets that it is unable to comply with the council's request, but will offer no objection 'o the whole foreshore of the borough fi nting Rangitoto Channel which is within ..- boiir limits being vested in or controlled by the Borough Council."

A lad, 16 years of age, confessed yesterday in the Juvenile Court to having stolen £50. He was employed in Hallenstein Bros.' shop in Karangahape Road as a messenger. The money was in a bag in the office ready to be taken to the bank, some of it being in cash and the rest in notes and cheques. Tho lad took the bag with its contents, and left Auckland by an afternoon train, afterwards joining the Main Trunk express at Mercer. He was arrested, however, whilst on the train and brought back to Auckland. Just over £40 of the stolen money was recovered. The boy, who plead guilty, was committed to the Supremo Court for sentence.

A motion was carried at the last meeting of tlio Frankton Junction branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, expressing its deep regret at the unfortunate railway accidents which occurred . at Whangamarino and Otahuhu stations, and extending to the bereaved relatives of the unfortunate victims the sincere sympathy of the society. As a mark of respect to the memory of those killed the meeting was adjourned.

Tho harbourmaster, reporting for the fortnight ended May 28, states that the arrivals at the Port of Auckland consisted of six large cargo steamers, six inter-colonial or Island traders, six coastal vessels, three sailing vessels, and the New Zealand Government steamer Hinemoa, an aggregate of 69,827 gross tons and 42,140 net tons; together with 249 local coasters of 37.885 gross tons and 20,616 net tons; making a grand total of 106,058 gross tons r.nd 62,756 net ions. The departures consisted of six largo cargo steamers, four inter-colonial or Island traders, eight coastal steamers, one • sailing vessel, one British warship, and two New Zealand Government steamers, an aggregate of 73,485 gross tons and 47,153 net tons; together with 247 local coasters of 36,612 gross tons and 20,671 net tons; making a grand total of 110,097 gross tons and 67,824 net tons.

The maintenance of personal communication among the .various portions of the Empire by visits made by members of the legislatures is regarded as very valuable by Mr. A. M. Myers, M.P. for Auckland East. His own experience, Mr. Myers stated yesterday, was that there were ample opportunities afforded to legislators visiting Loudon to express their opinions publicly. He was the guest of honour at- a city luncheon given by tho Royal Colonial Institute, and the Premier of Queensland (Mr. D. F. Denbam) and he were entertained by the British Parliamentary Association at a luncheon, at which. Mr. L. Harcourt, Secretary of State for the Colonies, presided. Advantage was taken by Mr. Myers on these occasions to explain the generil-acceptance by the people of New Zealand of so-called advanced Liberal legislation, and jvhile emphasising the fact that money borrowed by tho Dominion was devoted to reproductive purposes to make it understood that being only on the threshold of its development, Now Zealand would have to continue during some years to knock at the door of the London financiers. Mr. Myers added that the speeches made by members of the British Parliamentary Party on their return to England showed that they had been greatly impressed by the resources of the Dominions, and recognised that the growing national feeling overseas was not an element of weakness, but a source of strength in the Imperial fabric.

About thirty yards of the embankment which supports the new footpath formed in connection with the recent widening of the lower end of Manukau Road, collapsed in the early hours of yesterday morning. Only the kerbing of the footpath had been completed, and about fifteen yards of this, together with a telegraph pole, fell about ten feet below the roadway. The slip has not interfered with the traffic, neither have the telephone wires suffered. '

The R-emuera Road Board intends to orect a bait slip and crossing over the sewer at Hobson Bay, and has forwarded plans of the work to the Harbour Board for approval. These plans were considered by the board in committee, and at the meeting of the board yesterday the following recommendation was adopted : —"That, subject to the approval of the Drainage Board, tho plans be approved, tenancy to bo terminable on six months' notice; rental to be Is per year if demanded."

Steps arc to be takon to stop the use of fictitious British and French names in labels which constitute a false description of origin, in the South American trade (writes our London correspondent). Label makers arc requested to execute orders for labels bearing such indications (ib "Regent Street." "Piccadilly," "Rue do la Paix, Paris." when there is every reason to believe that the goods for which the labels are destined are neither Eng lish in the one case nor French in tho other. In cases where they know tho fancy name employed to be that of a really existing house., some firms refuse to execute the order, as they do not want to be drawn into an action for infringement; but, when the name is fictitious, it is very difficult for them to refuse and thus offend customers. It is stated that years ago, tho class of merchant ordering such marks was content with a simple phrase, such as "Latest Fashion," or "Mode de Paris," but those phrases have now been used for «o long and in such a wholesale way that they hive lost all their efficacy.

A small consignment of pears of unusual size iB among the latest importation of fruit from South Africa (writes our London correspondent). The pears, which aro finding a ready sale, are in two varieties. One is the Duchessn d'Argentino, a pear which in shape closely resembles an apple. It is green in colour, and weighs nearly a pound, 'lie other is the Bourre Bosc, rusty brown in colour, and tapering to a fine point at the stem. The big end of this pear when ■measured was 10|iu round, and • the whole length 6iin.

; V' The illustrations: in to-day's • edition the ' Auckmm) • ■ Weekly News' unusual interest. The shocking dis||p|| on the St. Lawrence River and tho fjiftffl collision Main Trunk Express, and a goods train at WhangamaifnMl occupy several pages of the number, till® connection with the former, tkero a remarkably fine double-pago illuitratiolf® of the ill-fated Empress of Ireland at «a ' and several other views of the vessel at® Quebec. Portraits appear of the «hjp* 8 commander and missing passengers frenjrP Auckland and other places. A map ofvfl the locality, showing the point where P the collision occurred, is also reproduced v $ Numerous pictures appear of the fatal ■?$ railway smash on the Main Trunk line'® last Wednesday. These include views of % the scene of the collision, the wreckage *'t of engine and rattl-? Neks, th tele, 1 scoped cars, interior of the sloping C at * aJt«r the victims were removed, tl, o ' - rescue gang carrying away the injared, '• several other illustrations of the unfor' tunate iniVhap, and portraits of the vie. time. The frontispiece is occupied by a recent studio portrait of the King, whose 49th birthday anniversary i., being celebrated to-day throughout the- Empiro, An interesting page of hunting snapshots pictorially covers .ast Saturday's meet of the Pakuranga ant Club. 'several interesting views of General Hamilton's inspection of cadet* at Wellington and Masterton are also reproduced. In addition to a topical cartoon, there appear illustrations of the missing airman, Gustav flamel, paintings "Jiibitcd at the Auckland Society Arts Exhibition, the

ceremonial opening of tho Pitt Memorial Gates in Nelson, Wakapuaka cable station, part of which was destroyed by fire on Monday, snow on the Main Trunk iine, floods at Wairoa and fiifborne, a derailed engine at Balclutha, sheep killed by dogs, Victoria College graduates, and many other subjects. Readers desiring extra copies are advised to make early application, as it is anticipated tLe issuo will be sold out early.

The construction of the city and suburban drainage system was begun during the Mayoralty of Air. A. M. Myers M.P., and in referring to the matter yesterday he expressed gratification that the great undertaking had been successfully carried out. He considered much credit was due to the engineer (Mr. W. E. Bush) for the satisfactory completion of the works, especially .as the cost had been kept well within his original estimates. Mr. Myers added that, as ha knew how much time had been devoted to the init ition of the scheme by Mr, Bush, and low numerous were the difficulties that had been encountered, he had no hesitation in giving a full measure oi credit to Mr. Bush for his work. The success of he scheme should not now bo hampered by inactivity on tho part of the sab -ban districts, and he hoped that they wjuld complete the reticulation • of their areas as quickly as possible to that the full benefit of the scheme might >

we secured without delay.

In view of the development taking place in the leading Australian ports, Mr. J.' H. Gunson (chairman), at the meeting of the Harbour Board yesterday, recommended that tho engineer (Mr. W; Hamer) should, in the interests of tie board, visit these ports. Ho therefore moved that for this purpose the engineer bo granted leave of abseneo for one month. In moving the resolution, Mr. Gunson said that he had been very much impressed during his visit to Australia with tho important developments ..that were taking place in connection with the Ports of Sydney and Brisbane, and Itt considered thai~.ik would bo of immense advantage to the Port of Auckland if the board's engineer was enabled to visit Australia. Mr. Gunson did not suggest for a moment that Auckland was behind the times. On the contrary, this port was well to the front in tho van of progress. In the Australian ports, however, works were being carried out on a large? scale than in Auckland, and therefore it would be of distinct advantage for Mr. Hamer to place himself' in touch with what was going on in Australia. Mr. G. It. Hutchinson seconded the motion, and general support was forthcoming from' other members of the board. Eventually the motion was carried unanimously.

A large quantity of spurious wine is made in London and designated "port," p although it has never been near Portugal -1 (writes our London correspondent). The V words port or port wine, when used by & themselves, denote a fortified wine of a particular type and having particular 'v characteristics as to sweetness, tolour, 'f and "bouquet, made from fresh grapes > grown in Portugal and shipped from Oporto. The cheap " ports " are nearly f J ' all mado in London from dried currants If ' or raisins, together with a certain amount of real port-wine. By so doing the ■* manufacturers avoid the payment of im- i port duties. The importers of genuine port wine claim that this competition is a hardship, especially when the British ; wine is sold in bottles bearing labels such as "port" or "fine old port." It is admitted tint the British product is wine, and in so:je cases good wine, but it is not "port wine," and the importers of the latter state that they are determined to put an end to t-ho sale of substitutes as genuine port.

In connection with the forthcoming Ponsonby School Committee election, which is to take place on the evening of June 15, in All Saints' schoolroom, a meeting of supporters of the following candidates was held this week—Messrs. R. J. <Entrican, W. Lambourne, G. H. Lethaby, A. Salmon, H.R.J.Short, It. H. Swales, and JClark. With the exception of Mr. Clark, who was a former member of the committee, all the candidates mentioned are members of the sitting committee. At the meeting a general review of the work done during the past fow years was given. It was stated that alterations had been made to the Church Street school, and tlvt about an acre of land was now being taken under the Public Works Act Jf extra playground purposes. The Richmond school playground had been increased by about half an aire, and ' A f' l the aid if the teaching staff, funds had been raised and a good cricket pitch i,a ' been laid down. For the Ravfielf' school the additional playground of half an 3t ' (l had now been definitely acquired, and thfl Board of Education had promised 1° a fs ' s ' , in putting it in order. Improved sanitary conditions had been arranged for in ' 9 echools, and the board had instructed its architect to connect up the three schoo as soon as the city s reticulation schetns was completed. As the result of con tinuui! application, it was now almost cer tain that a fourth school, for infants only, would be erected in the Ponson y district. This, with the extensive additions now in progress at Bayfield, worn , it was hoped', relieve thn congestion. Various pa.itimes had been encouraged an assisted by the committees, and libraries had been established in tho three oC oos from funds obtained from the Jean Mc . Memorial Committee. It was contends if- . that duo thanks should be given to _ past committees for their efforts in ; "•'.V j| matter of additional playgrounds, vfjll , j efforts, it was claimed, the retiring mitteo had now practically brought to successful conclusion.